Kadokawa Taps Global Talent: Winner of MyAnimeList/Honeyfeed Isekai Contest Set for Japanese Light Novel Debut

Kadokawa has confirmed the official publication of the grand prize winner from its recent global writing competition, signaling a major push to integrate international light novel talent into the Japanese market. The MyAnimeList x Honeyfeed Writing Contest 2025 – THE ISEKAI concluded with Frettiko taking the top spot, securing a Japanese release for their novel in 2027.

Frettiko's winning entry, which centers on a protagonist named Mitsuta navigating a fantasy setting, was selected from 1,240 English submissions collected worldwide. The competition was managed by Honeyfeed, operated by qdopp Inc. The grand prize includes $5,000 and dedicated support from a Kadokawa editor to refine the manuscript for publication. Results were finalized around February 9-10, 2026.

This initiative is a core part of Kadokawa's Global UGC Publishing Project, designed to scout non-Japanese authors for potential breakout hits. Aneko Yusagi, the author of The Rising of the Shield Hero, served as a judge alongside editors from MF Books.

Yusagi’s series, which has already seen multiple anime seasons, represents the exact kind of global phenomenon Kadokawa is seeking. MF Books editor-in-chief Satoshi Arima noted that international platforms are proving to be crucial talent pools, reflecting the massive worldwide interest in anime.

Kadokawa is specifically targeting stories that align with global successes like Overlord, Re:Zero, Mushoku Tensei, and Sword Art Online. While the contest rules allowed for up to three $3,000 runner-up prizes, specific details on those placements were not revealed at the time of reporting. Kadokawa is also running a parallel Chinese contest on KadoKado, with those results expected in June 2026.